Cluster headache management with methylphenidate (Ritalin)

Gary A. Mellick, Larry B. Mellick

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

The authors report rapid cluster headache relief in a 43-year-old man with a 5-year history of refractory cluster headache. The patient described complete headache relief within 10 minutes of taking 10 mg of methylphenidate (Ritalin) when used to abort the onset of his headaches. Subsequently, a scheduled Ritalin dose taken each morning was sufficient to prevent his nightly headaches. In addition, 1 week of prophylactic methylphenidate therapy halted the series of cluster headaches. This is the first reported case of relief of cluster headaches with methylphenidate.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)710-712
Number of pages3
JournalHeadache
Volume38
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cluster headache
  • Methylphenidate
  • Ritalin
  • Sympathetic dysfunction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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